This is my trip report #11 in Airliners.Net and it is a Malaysia Airlines trip report.

I have written a trip report on the segment, flown with the same carrier earlier but then decided to write a new one because of the difference of aircraft used. The earlier trip report was on a Boeing 737-400.

Some statistical information about the segment, KCH-KUL:

I have flown the segment 19 times (excluding the return KUL-KCH segment).

All 19 segments were with MH.

Aircraft used on the 19 segments are as follows:
- 14 times on Boeing 737-400
- 3 times on Airbus 330-300
- 1 time on Airbus 330-200
- 1 time on Boeing 777-200ER

As for the class of travel:
- 7 times on Golden Club Class
- 12 times on Economy Class

FIRST SEGMENT

The journey began in Pontianak, Indonesia where I am based. It was time for my monthly return trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia so I decided to go with the usual route, via Kuching, Malaysia. The first segment to Kuching was on Batavia Air and I have written a trip report about it too.

The only notable event to write about the first segment is that it was on a classic 27 years old Boeing 737-200 (FFD: 15 April 1980), which is the same age as mine, which I found some A.Netters are crazy about.

The aircraft, PK-YTV.

Another thing to note is that the flight is the first one with Batavia’s new ‘oranje’ flight attendant’s uniform. Based on the information I gathered from Batavia’s inflight magazine, the new bright orange collarless uniform is more comfortable for the flight attendants to wear.

Batavia’s new flight attendant’s uniform.

For comparison, here is the old uniform.

Batavia’s former flight attendant’s uniform.

PRE FLIGHT

I arrived in KCH at about 09:50 hour, cleared immigration and custom, and at about 10:00 hour. I took an elevator to the departure level and went straight to MH’s new ticketing office in KCH. During my last trip, the office has yet to be opened.

MH’s new ticketing office in KCH.

MH’s new ticketing office in KCH on 20 February 2007.

The office has a standard interior as MH’s other ticketing office. I am not sure when is the actual date of the opening of the ticketing office but the interior has yet to be properly placed with sofa still wrapped in plastic and vases still without fillings.

The unfinished interior inside MH’s new ticketing office in KCH.

The only grouse about the office would be the location, which is too far away from the terminal’s entrance. It is situated behind the Check-In rows and the narrow walkway to the office is a long walk circling the perimeter fencing of the Check-In areas. Well I guess, people would still flock to the office wherever it located anyway to get the ticket, although many first timers would have a difficult time in finding their way to the office, I can assure that. The side facing the terminal’s entrance at Check-In Row A and B, where MH used as their ticketing counters previously were now deserted.

Considering I have less than hour before the scheduled departure time of my flight to KUL, after purchased my ticket, I went straight to check-in at Check-In Row A and once done, I proceeded to custom and immigration clearance.

Checking in at Row A.

Custom clearance.

Immigration clearance.

The immigration is KCH is commendable as there was always a lot of counters opened for travellers and one would never have to wait for more than 5 minutes to clear them.

Although a bit rushed, I still managed to sooth my eyes at my favourite spot inside the terminal – the aquarium.

KCH’s aquarium.

After clearing immigration, I stood for a while looking at the airside area. The terminal looked quite deserted, not may people around but I can still see a few MH’s B734s on the tarmac.

View over KCH’s airside area.

MH’s B734s on the tarmac.

My next stop would be the MH’s Golden Lounge. On my way to the lounge, I saw a group of MH’s flight attendants sitting in front of one of the gate with their fellow passengers, maybe waiting for their delayed aircraft to arrive.

MH’s flight attendants waiting for their flight.

MH’s Golden Lounge in KCH.

I received a warm greeting upon entering the lounge. After handing over my ticket for the receptionist to complete her administration, I settled down on one of the sofa inside and savoured the refreshments offered.

Receptionist inside MH’s Golden Lounge in KCH.

Seating area inside MH’s Golden Lounge in KCH.

Refreshments spread area inside MH’s Golden Lounge in KCH.

While savouring the refreshment, I saw PK-YTV, which brought me to KCH in less than hour ago being pushed back and ready for her inbound journey back to PNK.

PK-YTV being pushed back for her inbound journey to PNK.

While inside the lounge, I couldn’t help to smile and made funny faces all the time because there was one cute little traveller who seemed very amused peek-a-booed me.

Cute little traveller looking amuse peek-a-booed me.

At around 15 minutes to 11:00 hour, the receptionist made a boarding announcement for my flight and I left soon after.

Departures schedule.

My flight to Kuala Lumpur was assigned at Gate 8, which is located at the furthermost side of the terminal. Gate 8 is the usual docking gate for widebody aircraft to KCH.

When I arrived at Gate 8, almost all passengers have boarded the 12 years old aircraft (FFD: 22 June 1995) but I can see the aircraft is still being loaded with cargo.

The aircraft, 9M-MKG.

Reflection of the aircraft being loaded with cargo.

A ’smiling’ Airbus welcoming me onboard.

The almost deserted departure lounge of Gate 8.

After having my ticket, boarding pass and passport being inspected, I boarded the aircraft using the glassy aerobridge and bid goodbye to Kuching.

I got onboard and was ushered to my seat. I was then being offered a pre take off welcome drink, to which I chose the pink guava juice. A cold towel for passenger to freshen up followed next.

Pre take off welcome drink, a pink guava juice and the cold towel.

Then came a male flight attendant with a cart, offering a selection of newspaper, to which I chose The Star. Surprisingly, the day saw an aviation related news made the headline, the LAGs ruling (liquid, aerosol, gel) enforcement at all international gateways in Malaysia.

LAGs ruling in Malaysia.

The aircraft was being pushed back slightly delayed from schedule. The welcome address was communicated in Bahasa Malaysia followed by in English. The safety demonstration procedure was done through a screening from the main screen at the front of the cabin.

Safety demonstration using the main screen.

While taxiing, I saw Gading Sari’s B732 which crash landed in KCH in January still resting beside the taxiway in KCH. Shortly after, the aircraft rolled and rotated smoothly to the clear sky.

The crashed Gading Sari’s B732 on the left while a MH’s B734 queuing up for take off on the right.

After the seatbelt sign was switched off, the flight attendants began preparing each passenger’s table for lunch. They also asked passengers whether they would like to have another glass of drink, the ‘post take off’ drink they called it. I opted for a can of 7-Up.

Table being prepared for lunch.

My ‘post take off’ drink, a can of 7-Up.

I was offered 3 selections of lunch to which I chose a rice-based dish. The dish came with chicken rendang and vegetables, a prawn salad as starter, a slice of cream cake as desert and also 2 slices of garlic bread with butter. All were served in MH’s china. A glass of plain water was also given to me to company the dishes. The lunch was filling and satisfying.

My lunch.

Just some standard facts, the seat pitch onboard MH’s A333 is generous, at 45 inches.

The load on the flight was at around 50%. The weather throughout the journey was sunny.

View of the cabin from my seat.

Clear sunny day throughout the journey.

The flight attendant who served me is Ms. Georgina Yap and she worked very hard to ensure that I have a pleasant and sound flight. I was addressed by name and she always alerted if I need assistance. The service onboard MH’s flight is excellent and top notch, without any doubt.

Ms. Georgina Yap in action.

Without knowing, the flight started descending and the captain made an announcement from the cockpit to inform passengers about the distance to KUL, expected time to arrive and also the weather condition in Kuala Lumpur.

Descending commences.

The aircraft landed on time and smoothly on the runway. Announcements were made to welcome the passengers to KUL. It was again communicated in Bahasa Malaysia and English. The whole journey was uneventful.

Landing with KUL Main Terminal Building an ATC in the background.

The aircraft docked at one of the B gate at the Main Terminal Building. The flight attendants wished me goodbye upon disembarking and I headed straight to the baggage reclaim area rightafter.

A final look on 9M-MKG after disembarking. A Sri Lankan A330 can be seen taxiing in the background.

KUL’s ‘lush greenery’ domestic terminal.

On my way to the baggage reclaim area.

My flight was assigned with baggage belt M. Upon reaching the area, my checked-in luggage has yet to arrive on the conveyor.

Baggage collection belt information screen.

View on Luggage Conveyor M when I reached the area.

About 5 minutes later, my checked-in luggage arrived on the conveyor and without wasting any time, I proceeded to Level 1 of the terminal building to board a KLIA Express train to KL Sentral in downtown Kuala Lumpur. The one-way ticket cost MYR 35. The train was more crowded from usual on that day but I managed to secure a seat.

USD 1 = MYR 3.50

View on from my seat onboard KLIA Express train.

The 28 minutes train ride offers passengers great view of Putrajaya and also the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

Passing by Putrajaya with the ‘spaceship lookalike’ Putrajaya Convention Center in the background.

Passing by Kuala Lumpur’s skyline with the Petronas Towers dominating.

Can’t get enough of the Petronas Towers? Lets go near and touch it.

Touching the Petronas Towers while looking up to the pinnacle. I snapped this photo just before I left home that night after spending the whole day catching up with my friends who mostly working around the KLCC area. The shimmering towers are absolutely mesmerizing after sunset.

My journey back to Kuala Lumpur finally came to an end.

REMARK

Overall, from my personal point of view, MH’s domestic product offerings are better onboard the widebody aircrafts as compared to onboard the Boeing 737-400s. The seat pitch is better, cabin layout is brighter and generally, the flight attendants are also friendlier onboard the widebody aircrafts, resulting in a smoother and more pleasant journey to the passengers. I would always choose to board a widebody aircraft over the B734s on MH’s domestic routes anytime.

However, widebody aircrafts are only being deployed to selected domestic destinations and the number is very limited. As for KCH, there is only one or two widebody aircrafts being deployed daily. Other MH’s domestic destinations, which are being served by widebody aircrafts are PEN and BKI.

Quoting Osprey88 (Reply 1):Maybe someday I will be able to fly on MH, and hopefully that experience will come sooner rather than later.

I can't wait to read your trip report on A.Net about MH!

Quoting Osprey88 (Reply 1):Nice that you were able to get on a 732, an aircraft I have yet to experience!

So far, I have been onboard the B732 on 21 segments, all are flights originated from Indonesia. There is a link to my flightmemory.com page in my A.Net's profile if you would like to check on the details.

Quoting Osprey88 (Reply 1):I was surprised you were able to take pictures of the customs and immigration area of the terminal, I always get yelled at whenever I try in the US!

Although the custom and immigration officers in Malaysia are more lenient than their US counterparts, I always ensure that I took their photos without being noticed.

Quoting ThaiA345 (Reply 4):Ermmm actually its more than 1 mth since u last went back!

This is a backlog trip report.

Quoting ThaiA345 (Reply 4):When oh when are they going to change the interior? I thought its supposed to be done by now?

Based on the information from the Malaysian Aviation Thread 4, Isz1 revealed that:9M-MKF, 9M-MKS, 9M-MKR are now with "new" GCC seats w/o PTV. Making its debut soon, the 8 inch AVOD Portable Media Player (PMP) aka eVU Mobile Entertainment Device to be offered onboard MAS A333... if iam not mistaken they also add 2 more seats in that zone.

For EY, they removed the main screen and replaced it with drop down LCD monitor... more or less for every 4 rows. 4 more seats in zone C and removed the main screen divider and doghouse. Slimmer EY seats compared to the older ones.

GCC In flight services onboard MAS A333 to be upgraded to RNSD (Revised New Service Delivery) sytle aka MAS B772 and B744 inflight services... as more and more A333 crew rostered for A333 RNSD Classes. New dining ware etc... phasing out old dining ware etc. All these are temp solution until the arrival of "brand new" "replacement" aircraft... first A333 RNSD flight... september. more and more MAS A333 to be retrofitted into this new confi. So. let's hunt these 3 aircrafts.

No, as far as I could recalled, the announcement on MH's flights was always bilingual, Bahasa Malaysia first, followed by English, be it domestic or international flights.

Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 5):Sigh, what are they going to do with that plane? Just leave it there? Waiting for insurance payout?

During my later trip to Kuala Lumpur in May 2007 via Kuching, the mentioned Gading Sari's B732 was no longer there. Maybe they scrapped it. Fellow A.Netter Paparadzi could give some information I supposed.

If you read my report on this domestic flight, you would realise that all the announcements were in Malay only. In fact, the only time when I encountered a bilingual inflight announcement was when the A330 I boarded in Langkawi flew in from Taipei, and was en route to KUL.

CXtra:
Good day CXtra. That is most probably the best compliments I received for my trip report this year. I am glad you like it.

Quoting CXtra (Reply 10):I'd think the photographs were taken as you're walking - they're so spontaneous!

Indeed, I just snapped them as I walk. Not so much science put on it.

Ronerone:
Kaifa haluka ya akhi?

Quoting Ronerone (Reply 11):I noticed in the picture you took of the welcome drink and the towel, there was a trolley by the aisle by your side. Does MH serve the towels and welcome drink from a trolley?

No. The pre take off drink and the cold towel were served from a (separate) tray. The trolley you saw was the newspapers' trolley.

Quoting 9MMAR (Thread starter):I was then being offered a pre take off welcome drink, to which I chose the pink guava juice. A cold towel for passenger to freshen up followed next. Then came a male flight attendant with a cart, offering a selection of newspaper, to which I chose The Star.

Right?

Thank you so much CXtra and shukran jazilan ya Roni for reading my trip report.

Quoting Ronerone (Reply 11):I noticed in the picture you took of the welcome drink and the towel, there was a trolley by the aisle by your side. Does MH serve the towels and welcome drink from a trolley?

This is one thing that I like about MAS First and Business Class service. Orders are all personally taken and nothing is served en masse on a tray. Depending on the crew team for that flight, some of them even take the trouble to refer to the pax manifest to know your name (this is business class I am referring to). For first class, it is a must.

I have flown MAS on long haul and short domestic hops, their service never waivered and was consistently good.

While critics would want to counter me by saying or SQ/CX/QR/TG etc does it too... Well, all I can say is that my BEST premium flights have ALL been on MAS which is why I know I am qualified to say that they deserve EVERY SINGLE AWARD they have garnered.

Why do so many airlines offer desserts that are based on cream?! I've never flown CX J without encountering something with cream (and that is quite a few times) !

Quoting 9MMAR (Thread starter):the flight attendants are also friendlier onboard the widebody aircrafts, resulting in a smoother and more pleasant journey to the passengers.

I wonder why.. at MH, do you know if FA's rosters are determined by aircraft type (ie there's a widebody crew that would fly the larger aircraft domestically and 330s and 747s overseas, for example? Or is it done by the domestic/international distinction?

BTW, could you tell us what camera you use (forgive me for not searching through every one of your reports)?

Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 5):Strange, so far all the domestic flights I have been on don't have any English announcements. Maybe they have changed their SOP?

But as far as i remember, inflight announcement on all the MAS domestic flights i have been on were always bilingual. Always Bahasa Malaysia first then English. On MH80/81/51 (to/from Japan via BKI on certain days), inflight announcement is also made in Japanese, MH68/69 (to TPE via BKI daily) & MH86/87 (to KHH via BKI daily) got Mandarin (only if there is Chinese FA onboard). Last time when MH68/69 was still operated by 333 (before SARS), Mandarin annoucement was standard on these flights.

Safety briefing on MAS domestic flights however, is often made in Bahasa Malaysia. Even if there are foreigners onboard.

Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 6):No, as far as I could recalled, the announcement on MH's flights was always bilingual, Bahasa Malaysia first, followed by English, be it domestic or international flights.

Yeah, exactly.

Quoting CXtra (Reply 15):I wonder why.. at MH, do you know if FA's rosters are determined by aircraft type (ie there's a widebody crew that would fly the larger aircraft domestically and 330s and 747s overseas, for example? Or is it done by the domestic/international distinction?

There are two-set of crew.
First set - B737-400 / A330-200/300
Second set - A330-200/300 / B747-400 / B777-200ER

Quoting 9MMAR (Thread starter):Overall, from my personal point of view, MH’s domestic product offerings are better onboard the widebody aircrafts as compared to onboard the Boeing 737-400s. The seat pitch is better, cabin layout is brighter and generally, the flight attendants are also friendlier onboard the widebody aircrafts, resulting in a smoother and more pleasant journey to the passengers. I would always choose to board a widebody aircraft over the B734s on MH’s domestic routes anytime.

Totally agree with you. Seat pitch in EY is also bigger on the 333/772/744.

Quoting 9MMAR (Thread starter):
However, widebody aircrafts are only being deployed to selected domestic destinations and the number is very limited. As for KCH, there is only one or two widebody aircrafts being deployed daily. Other MH’s domestic destinations, which are being served by widebody aircrafts are PEN and BKI.

Quoting Ryanair!!! (Reply 13):I have flown MAS on long haul and short domestic hops, their service never waivered and was consistently good.

Couldn't agree more. My first flight with MH was back in 1993, at that time I was 13 and after 14 years of flying with them, I couldn't come out with a story about personal incident with bad inflight services received from MH's flight attendants.

MSYYZ:
Salam MSYYZ,

Quoting MSYYZ (Reply 14):very nice report ( and very similar to one of your recent reports on MH

Thank you for your compliment and it is quite similar to another trip report with the same title. As I highlighted in the earlier paragraph, the emphasize is on the difference in aircraft used. B734 vs A333.

CXtra:
Hello again CXtra,

Quoting CXtra (Reply 15):Why do so many airlines offer desserts that are based on cream?! I've never flown CX J without encountering something with cream (and that is quite a few times) !

Maybe there is a science behind it? We all know that orange juice has significant effect to passengers while onboard. Perhaps someone from the industry could highlight us on this matter.

Quoting CXtra (Reply 15):BTW, could you tell us what camera you use (forgive me for not searching through every one of your reports)?

I think I never said anything about what camera I used in any of my trip reports. It's an old Sony T-50. I am thinking of getting the successor to this generation of Sony camera, the T-100.

Thank you for answering the questions asked by CXtra. Looks like you know a lot about MH's operation, especially the BKI station. Are you somehow have direct connection with it?

I always wonder, why can't MH get rid of the A332s? MH only operates 3 frames of such aircraft and I think it just add 'bad' complexities to MH's product offerings. First and foremost, the seat pitch in YCL is at 32", a huge different from the cabin on the A333, B772 and B744. Why can't MH replace the A332 with the B772? I believe MH has extra B772 to perform the duty. A B772 is currently being leased to PK, if I am not mistaken and can be oftenly seen in MAN.

Thank you so much Mr. Soh, MSYYZ, CXtra and TreeHillRavens for reading my trip report.

Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 17):Couldn't agree more. My first flight with MH was back in 1993, at that time I was 13 and after 14 years of flying with them, I couldn't come out with a story about personal incident with bad inflight services received from MH's flight attendants.

And i was only 5 years old ... MAS still flew the D10 to BKI on a regular basis. We were given both Butter and Marmalade along with the bun. MAS also offered candy before landing back then. Those were the days ...

Now, you get no bun on MAS "pure" domestic flights.

Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 17):I think I never said anything about what camera I used in any of my trip reports. It's an old Sony T-50. I am thinking of getting the successor to this generation of Sony camera, the T-100.

I have the T-7. Bought in 2004. I am also thinking of getting the T-100. But that ain't gonna happen.

Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 17):Thank you for answering the questions asked by CXtra. Looks like you know a lot about MH's operation, especially the BKI station. Are you somehow have direct connection with it?

I never told you this when you PM me the other day. BKI is my hometown. I travel between BKI/KUL once a month (and renctly just once every two-month) to visit my dad who is working in KUL.

Quoting 9MMAR (Reply 17):I always wonder, why can't MH get rid of the A332s? MH only operates 3 frames of such aircraft and I think it just add 'bad' complexities to MH's product offerings. First and foremost, the seat pitch in YCL is at 32", a huge different from the cabin on the A333, B772 and B744. Why can't MH replace the A332 with the B772? I believe MH has extra B772 to perform the duty. A B772 is currently being leased to PK, if I am not mistaken and can be oftenly seen in MAN.

If i'm not mistaken, PK already returned the 772 to MAS. I hope the MAS 734 replacements (i hope it's 738) will come with some sorts of IFE.

I think the 772 is too big to replace MAS 332. 332 can work nicely for MAS, if they have the right seat configuration. Having 42 seats in GCC & just 187 in EY and fly to cities like KMG ? That's just not going to work. More EY seats will be more suitable.

Nice report. It looks like the domestic service on Malaysian is really nice. A choice of three entrees! Wow, what luxury. I'll have to figure out a way to incorporate some domestic Malaysian flying. Maybe on my next flight to Singapore?

Me too. It's time for the domestic flight to have a little IFE the least. And I am also place my bet on the B737NG for the replacement of MH's 39 B734s.

Christao17:
Good day Mr. Schultz,

Quoting Christao17 (Reply 19):It looks like the domestic service on Malaysian is really nice.

I'd dare to say that MH's domestic service is superior than TG's.

Quoting Christao17 (Reply 19):A choice of three entrees! Wow, what luxury. I'll have to figure out a way to incorporate some domestic Malaysian flying. Maybe on my next flight to Singapore?

Just one little problem. I am not sure whether what you saw in my trip report is applicable in other MH's domestic flights from any points in the Malaysian Peninsula to KUL, as the flight time from even the farthest point, i.e. Langkawi (LGK) will take less than an hour (airborne). Thus, the meal offerings especially, won't be the same. You have to check on that.

I have flown to Kota Bharu (KBR), which borders Thailand's Sungai Golok in Narathiwat province once and only a cup of drink was offered to each passengers in YCL. I guess for Golden Club class, a light snack is being offered. If you were to proceed with the plan, maybe I could suggest:

BKK-LGK with Thai AirAsia, followed by

LGK-KUL with MH, and then

KUL-SIN with MH or SQ

To experience a longer MH domestic flight, you can always fly to BKI from BKK (with AirAsia), then proceed to KUL before going to SIN but sigh... what a backtracking you have to make.

Quoting CXtra (Reply 15):I wonder why.. at MH, do you know if FA's rosters are determined by aircraft type (ie there's a widebody crew that would fly the larger aircraft domestically and 330s and 747s overseas, for example? Or is it done by the domestic/international distinction?

Malaysia is one of my favorite countries, and KLIA is one of, if not the nicest airport I have traveled through.

In March of last year I was lucky enough to travel on both Hibiscus 747's to and from LHR, MH's service is one of the best I've had.KL is a great city too, the Chinese market in Petaling Jaya is awesome

Isz1:
Hello Isz1. Thank you for the insight on MH's crew roster, although it is something I am not familiar with, whose mechanism I need to understand more.

GoingAround:
Good day Alex. I am glad to know that you had a wonderful time in my country. Knowing that you've flown on BOTH Hibiscus is really enviable indeed. I hope you will become a great pilot someday.